1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. 2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. 3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. 4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. 6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. 7All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found. 8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. 10Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! 11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. 12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. 14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. 16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die. 17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. 18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death. 19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again. 20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. 21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. 22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm. 24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. 27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. 29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
1 A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank. #2|. What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet. 3|. Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. #4|. Here we may see how strong is men's love of money. #5|. Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. #6|. We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty. #7|. Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. #8|. Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. #9|. Lying is a damning, destroying sin. #10|. A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men. 11|. He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good. #12|. Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew. #13|. It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. 14|. A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. #15|. A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come. #16|. If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. #17|. God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. #18|. When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. 19|. The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. #20|. Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. #21|. What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will? #22|. It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it. #23|. Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. #24|. Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. #25|. A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. #26|. The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. 27|. It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. #28|. Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. 29|. The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?